Scholarships

Since my employment at Spaulding Brighton, I have implemented leadership support by playing
an integral part in the Spaulding Skin and Wound Committee and spearheading interdisciplinary
collaboration with WOCRN, therapists, PCAs and nutritionists. The result of this effort was a
standardization of skin treatment and implementation of new skills uniformity in clinical
practice. I have also collaborated with our offsite CWOCRN to provide expertise in wound care
and uniformity in our clinical practice and better patient outcomes.

The challenges of not having a wound nurse on-site have made it difficult to provide uniform
evidence-based care. Having the opportunity to receive this education would benefit patient
outcomes; provide on-site resources for staff; cost-saving for both patient and hospital and lessen
anxiety of patients who would not have to be transported to other facilities.

My goal is to provide patients and staff with evidence-based treatment options by acquiring
cutting-edge skin supplies. But most importantly, to provide the time, encouragement and social
support for both patients and staff to address the need for successful wound care management
outcomes.

I am interested in obtaining certification in the field of Wound and Ostomy Nursing. The Wound and Ostomy RN should be a dedicated and knowledgeable nurse. I am very dedicated and desire to be more knowledgeable in this field. Currently I am a Wound and Ostomy Registered Nurse for Yale New Haven Health (YNHH).

I originally became interested in this position from my work as a Neonatal nurse for over 20 years. I foresee this to be a long-term career for myself. My current role as Wound/Ostomy RN at YNHH is very rewarding. I travel throughout all units from newborn to geriatric on 2 campuses. I work with multiple specialties within the in-patient, out-patient and home health system. The most rewarding is my direct care with and for patients, their families and support systems.

With over 23 years of nursing experience I have developed a strong medical knowledge. I believe that my strengths and skill sets have been an asset to the YNHH Wound/Ostomy Team. I have been in the Wound/Ostomy RN role for 15 months and have reached a plateau of knowledge in this area. I am now ready to expand this knowledge. I will begin the self paced Web WOC program this month. This is my next step in gaining the knowledge I need to better care for my patients. This Wound and Ostomy certification will improve myself professionally and improve the small team I work with. This will ensure our teams standing in this competitive and professional Hospital system. Please consider me for this scholarship. Thank you.

My name is Jeanetta Francis and I am a Nurse who went from a Certified Nursing Assistant
(CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing (BSN). Wound care is an integral part of the healthcare system and it plays a crucial role
in improving the quality of life for patients. Over the years, my career in healthcare has evolved
and throughout this journey, my passion for wound care has grown. I have witnessed the
transformation of patients' lives through effective wound care treatment which ignited a spark
within me. It was during this period that I realized the profound impact wound care nurses have
on patients' well-being. I yearn to be part of this transformational process.

I am enrolled in the Emory University Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (WOCN)
program to obtain my wound certification. I want to complete all the disciplines, but financially I
can only approach it one at a time. I am applying for the WOCN scholarship which would afford
me the opportunity to complete the training in a timely manner. My commitment to delivering
the highest quality wound care continues to grow and I sought opportunities to become a WOC
wound care specialist.

My professional experience in wound care includes various settings such as home care, long-
term care, and post-operative settings. The opportunity to pursue advanced education and

training in wound care has been a driving force behind my career and I am honored to apply for
the WOCN scholarship to further my expertise in this field. I aspire to become a WOCN nurse,
which will allow me to provide comprehensive care and support to patients with complex wound
care needs.

My nursing journey has been fueled by a deep-seated passion for wound care. I have dedicated
years of my life to acquiring the knowledge and skills in this field and I am determined to make a
lasting impact in the lives of patients. The WOCN scholarship represents an opportunity for me
to further hone my expertise and I am committed to using this knowledge to provide exceptional
care and support to patients with wound, ostomy, and continence needs. I am truly honored to be
considered for this scholarship, and I am excited about the future possibilities it may bring in my
pursuit of excellence in wound care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the role of home health care nursing. Patients are being discharged from acute-care facilities with higher acuity needs and much sooner than they have in the past. Home care nurses are now, more than ever, the frontline health care workers. With continuity in care and thorough clinical assessments, nurses are relied upon for preventing hospital readmissions and unnecessary ER visits. Education and knowledge are the key factors in preventing rehospitalizations. Therefore, education in wound care, ostomy care, and continence care are three areas that can make an enormous impact on patient care/outcomes in the home setting. If nurses have the tools they need to complete accurate, thorough assessments, communication can then be relayed to the health care provider sooner, to allow for better, quicker treatment. I feel as though getting my WOC certification will provide me with the knowledge and assurance that I can provide the best care possible for my patients in all health care settings.

I have had the goal of becoming a certified WOCN since I first started working at LHMC
in 2019. I had the opportunity to work alongside Melissa Ayer, CWOCNP, and Susan Bellofatto,
CWCN while caring for postop colorectal and urology surgical patients. These two women
inspired me to pursue certification as a WOCN. After leaving LHMC in 2022, I started a new
position at MGH in their IBD Center. I completed the full scope program earlier this month. I am
currently working with several doctors to create a WOCN role in a new IBD multi-disciplinary
clinic at the MGH Waltham Campus. In this role, I will have the opportunity to meet patients
and guide them, being both a supporter and an educator during this stressful, challenging
moment in their lives. I am honored to have the opportunity to help build this new role and
could not be more excited and ready to begin my new career as a WOCN!